NASSCO launches second LNG fueled TOTE containership

AUGUST 30, 2015 — General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard, San Diego, CA, yesterday launched and christened the second of what will be the world's first two LNG-fueled containerships.

The ship, the Perla del Caribe, is the second of two 3,100 TEU, 233.0 m Marlin Class Jones Act containerships on order for TOTE. Each is powered by a MAN Diesel and Turbo 8L70ME-GI main engines. By burning natural gas, the ships will reduce particulate matter emissions by 98 percent and carbon dioxide emissions by 72 percent.

As part of yesterday's ceremony, the ship's sponsor, Ms. Emma Engle, a third-generation shareholder of Saltchuk, TOTE's parent company, christened the ship with a traditional champagne bottle break over the ship's hull. Alcinda Buirds, a 32-year NASSCO employee, pulled the trigger to release the ship into the San Diego Bay.

"To NASSCO shipbuilders, a launch signals the near completion of the construction of a ship; it's when the ship enters the ocean for the very first time. It's a moment of pride for the thousands of men and women who built the ship – piece by piece, block by block. For the Perla del Caribe, it's no different, and when the ship is delivered, we will be very proud to say, 'We built that,' " said Kevin Graney, vice president and general manager of General Dynamics NASSCO.

Upon delivery of the first vessel in late-2015, the Jones Act-qualified ships will operate between Jacksonville, FL, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.